On April, 23rd, 2004, a petition to the European Parliament has started. It asks for the ban on the importation to the UE of all the species of freshwater turtles. The turtle trade causes terrible pains to these animals. Furthermore, it poses a threat to the local species. The number of signatures collected until April, 23rd, 2005 (which represented the first deadline) is almost 1,000, thanks to the faboulous help of associations and individuals of all Europe. Another little effort is needed to at least reach 1,000 signatures! Then, the petition will be presented to the European Parliament.

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In order to help turtles, download the form. Print it, sign it and have it signed by your friends, and by anybody who may be interested. Then, send the form to www.noturtle.org - CP 14/249 - 20140 Milano 65 - Italy. It is not possible to send the petition on-line (European institutions have not created "web" anagraphic data, yet.)

Frequently asked questions
Who can sign the petition?
All adult citizens from the European Union.

Which are the compulsory fields of the form?
It is necessary to fill all the fields (Name, Address, City, Nationality, Occupation and, obvioulsy, Signature.)

Who can collect the signatures?
Whoever is interested.

Is there a need for a particural procedure, to authenticate the signatures?
No. They can be collected by any adult citizen.

Is there a minimum number of signatures to gather, so that the petition be accepted?
No. Notwithstanding, a high number of signatures will make so that the petition be accepted more easily.

When will the collection of signatures be over?
The first deadline was April, 23rd, 2005. However, we are allowing for a little more time to at least gather 1,000 signatures (we are almost there) before presenting the petition to the European Parliament. So, please help!

Who will the signed forms be sent to?
To CP 14/249 - 20140 Milano 65 - Italy

Is it possible to sign on-line?
European Institutions do not allow it, at the moment.

Some frequently asked questions that will be posed to those who decide to help the turtles.

Question: These petitions are, generally, ignored by the Institutions. Why should I sign?
Answer: These petitions are not ignored. There have been important initiatives that have been sent to the European Parliament which have showed to be useful. For instance, petition No. 461/2000, against the illegal importation of African bushmeat to Europe, pushed the Parliament itself to enhance the measures against this traffic.

Question: Will unsolicited ads and/or various annoyances get to my house, if I sign?
Answer: No. In accordance with the laws on privacy, the information given will be used only for the purposes linked to the petition itself. It will not be handed over to subjects different than the European Institutions.

Question: Nobody ever does anything fot nothing. What does this group gain from collecting signatures for turtles?
Answer: This group of people, who do not represent either an association or any kind of board, will not accept donations. It has no bank account. It is true, on the other side, that nobody does anything for nothing. We propose the petition not only for the protection of turtles, but also to live in a healthier environment.

Question: It seems to me that, at the moment, there are few signatures. What's the use of signing myself?
Answer: The more signatures we have, the more important the petition will be. Even a single signature may make the difference.

Question: Nothing ever happens, without the politicians' aid. What's the use of this petition, if it does not involve the political world?
Answer: Representatives to the European Parliament will be asked to express their own opinion with regard to the petition, and to endorse it. Only if the petition is supported by many people, politicians will feel compelled to help it.

For any other information, please write to petition@noturtle.org.